Sunday, January 17, 2016

Kotzker Rebbe: Gedolim and talmidei chachomim have a greater requirement to have fear of Heaven than a layman

Rav Moshe Sternbuch[1](Parsha
Bo5776):
I heard from my dear friend Rabbi Tzi Farber zt”l that he was once traveling with
Rav Chaim Brisker in a carriage when another Jew joined them. Rav Chaim asked
the newcomer where he was coming from and he replied he was coming from Kotzk.
Rav Chaim asked him to tell them a dvar Torah that he had heard there. The Jew
told them that he had heard a drasha in the name of the Kotzer Rebbe regarding the verse
“You shall fear the L-rd your G-d” (Vayikra 6:13)which our Sages (Pesachim
22b) understand to also teach that it refers to talmidei chachomim. [In other
words that fear of G-d includes fearing those who teach the Torah] However the Kotzer Rebbe explained the lesson of our Sages to
mean that talmidei chachom also have the obligation to fear and have awe of G-d
and not to think they are alright because of their knowledge of Torah. Rav
Chaim praised this interpretation greatly and sighed and said, “The Rebbe is
correct. Even gedolim and talmidei chachomim are obligated to fear Heaven and
they can not suffice with their greatness in Torah. In fact the opposite is true. They
have a greater obligation than others to have fear of Heaven.”

Rav Zev Leff recommends my 3 books on Child & Domestic Abuse

Click on picture to hear excerpt from Jan. 2012 Kav L'Noar conference. "I want to first give hakoras hatov to Dr. Baruch Shulem who provided me with Daniel Eidensohn's books on child abuse and domestic abuse which offered me many many sources and it gave me many many ideas to be able to deal with the subject properly. And I thank them and I recommend those books to everyone who is interested in getting a good foundation what the issues are in this very important topic."